Speeches

ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II TO THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL FOR HEALTH PASTORAL CARE

Friday, 21 January 2005

Your Eminence, Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood, Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. I offer you my cordial greeting, with a special thought of gratitude for Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragán, who has expressed your common sentiments. Your Plenary Assembly is taking place on the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health-Care Workers, established in 1985 with the "Motu Proprio" Dolentium Hominum. Consequently, this is a particularly favourable opportunity to thank the Lord for the good achieved by the Pontifical Council at the service of the dissemination of the Gospel of Christian hope in the vast world of the suffering and of those who are called to care for them.

ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II TO THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SCHÖNSTATT FAMILIES

Thursday, 20 January 2005

Dear Brothers and Sisters of the International Union of Schönstatt Families,

1. On the occasion of the opening of your General Chapter you have come to Rome to reflect in prayer at the tombs of the Apostles and to renew your fidelity to the Church before the Successor of Peter. I am delighted with your visit and warmly welcome you to the Pope's house. May these days spent in the "Eternal City" be a time of grace in which you all experience the closeness of God and of his saints!

1. I am delighted to welcome each one of you, representatives of the great Ferrari "family" that has scored successes and trophies down the years. In particular, I congratulate you on winning the recent world championship.

Mr Commissioner, Officials and Officers of the Inspectorate of Public Security at the Vatican,

1. I am pleased to welcome you and to offer each one of you my cordial greeting. I greet you all with affection. In particular, I greet Dr Salvatore Festa and thank him for his words of esteem on behalf of all. I would like to offer you and your families my warmest good wishes for the year that has just begun. May it be a peaceful year, especially rich in heavenly blessings and consolation!

A warm welcome to you! I thank the Archbishop and the Rector for their words. I am delighted to offer hospitality to such distinguished representatives of the University of Silesia, accompanied by the Ordinary of Katowice and the Mayor of the City.

ADDRESS OF POPE JOHN PAUL II TO MEMBERS OF ORIENTAL EPARCHIES AND EXARCHIAL MONASTERY

Tuesday, 11 January 2005

Your Beatitude, Venerable Brothers in the Episcopate and in the Priesthood Dear Brothers and Sisters,

1. I welcome you with joy and offer you all my cordial greeting. I greet first of all the Prefect of the Congregation for the Oriental Churches and thank him for his courteous words on behalf of everyone present. I extend my greeting to the Communities you represent here and to those who are taking part in your Synod on the theme: "Communion and Gospel Proclamation".

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II TO THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS ACCREDITED TO THE HOLY SEE FOR THE TRADITIONAL EXCHANGE OF NEW YEAR GREETINGS

Monday, 10 January 2005

Your Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. The quiet joy which marks this season when the Church re-lives the mystery of the birth of Emmanuel and the mystery of his humble family in Nazareth, is very much a part of this, my yearly meeting with you, the distinguished Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See. In gathering here today, you in a certain way make visible the great family of the Nations.